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michael jantzen

michael jantzen

Santa Fe, NM, US

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The Focal Sphere

As an artist/designer I have always been interested in ways to reinvent the built environment. One approach of great interest to me is how to create space with non-physical information. Years ago I experimented with something I called, a Focal Sphere. Focal Spheres are made from telescopes mounted into a plastic ball at equal spacing from one to the other. Each of the telescopes are focused onto exactly the same place at the same distance from the perimeter of the ball. The focal planes of each of the telescopes touch edge to edge and form a focal sphere around the plastic support ball.
Each of the focal planes has a specific dimension and each is only in focus at a specific location. Even the focal planes aimed at the ground would come into focus if the earth were to be removed.
The perception of the spherical space is formed in the mind of the person who encounters the assemblage of telescopes, and is informed about how and why they have been arranged in this manner.

 
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Status: Built
Location: St. Louis